Claimer: My Blog, My POV

Occasionally, I will mention my job, my public service activities, and other aspects of my life to offer my readers a better perspective on where I'm coming from. But to be clear:

"The views that I express represent my own opinions, based on my own education and experience, not the opinions of any other entity, party, or group to which I belong. I give these opinions in my individual capacity, as a private citizen, and as someone who gives a good gosh darn about his community, his country, and the truth."

The MinusCar Project reports that Senator Thune voted Wednesday for an amendment sponsored by his Okie pal Tom Coburn to let states opt out of the Transportation Enhancements portion of the transportation bill. The Transportation Enhancements mandate requires states spend 10% of their transportation funds on transportation alternatives to automobiles, like public transit, walking paths, and bike trails. States can also use the money for highway beautification and roadkill reduction, which apparently vexes Coburn to no end.

Luckily, Thune was in the minority. Christensen notes that Senator Thune was more than happy to pose for pictures and take credit for a new multi-use trail in Sioux Falls last year funded by the Transportation Enhancements funds. But now Thune is happy to go along with his conservative government dismantlers to knock the legs and pedals out from under such projects.